Commercial airplanes typically rely on an environmental control system (ECM) to maintain a comfortable cabin environment. When flying at 30,000 feet, airplanes must pressurize their cabins. Pressurization allows for a safer flight experience for passengers by allowing them to breathe … Read More
Composite fuselages have become increasingly common in the aerospace industry. Some of the world’s first airplanes were designed with wood frames. Shortly thereafter, all-metal frames became the standard. While some airplanes today still use an all-metal frame, such as an … Read More
Fasteners aren’t limited to traditional nuts and bolts. There are dozens of different types of fasteners, each of which features a unique design. In the aerospace industry, for instance, quarter-turn fasteners are commonly used. What Are Quarter-Turn Fasteners? Quarter-turn fasteners … Read More
Line-replaceable units (LRUs) are commonly used in airplanes. Also known as line-replaceable items and line-replaceable components, they consist of aircraft components that can be removed and replaced on the fly. Airplanes are complex vehicles with many different components. When taking … Read More
Airplanes don’t run on the same type of gasoline as cars, trucks and other road vehicles. Whether commercial or private, most airplanes use either jet fuel or aviation fuel. They are the two most common types of airplane fuel. When … Read More
Rivets are commonly used in the aerospace industry to secure two or more parts together. They are permanent fasteners that, once installed, won’t loosen due to vibrations or other external forces. While most rivets feature a cylindrical body, though, they … Read More
Toothed washers have become a popular alternative to traditional washers. Like all washers, they are used in conjunction with a threaded fastener. Washers distribute the load of a threaded fastener. Only toothed washers, however, feature serrations or “teeth.” What are … Read More
Airstairs are a common feature of many commercial airplanes From the Boeing 737 to the Airbus A320, they are used for boarding. Passengers can board the airplane by using its airstairs. What are airstairs exactly, and how do they work? … Read More
Turbofans are commonly used in commercial airliners. Also known as fanjets, they are jet engines that burn fuel and air. Like the internal combustion engines in cars and trucks, turbofans have a combustion chamber. They such air and fuel into … Read More
